Cinch cord rescue device

ABSTRACT

A rescue device is disclosed which comprises a foldable stretcher which is adapted to encompass a human form. A cinch cord extends about a periphery of the stretcher and is slidably captured by a plurality of passageways. The plurality of passageways create one or more cutouts about the periphery. Each cutout provides hand access to the cinch cord whereby pulling the cinch cord causes the stretcher to encompass a human form contained thereon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to rescue devices, in particular, to a portable rescue device using cinch cords for ease of use by firefighters and other rescue personnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Although the prior art shows rescue devices, none are believed to illustrate the type of device disclosed and claimed. In a fire or other emergency situation, often it is extremely difficult to extricate persons therefrom, particularly persons who are disoriented or unconscious. Such persons are unable to assist in their own rescue. If the rescuer grabs, for example, the person's clothing, it often will simply slide off said person. Sometimes, such person's may not even be wearing clothing, as in a night time sleeping situation or where the clothing is burned off due to flames or heat of a fire.

[0003] In addition, if the person has bulky equipment on, as for example, in the case of a firefighter overcome with smoke or lack of oxygen, the equipment can catch on debris in a smoke filled room. Thus, there is a need for a rescue device which can prevent such interference with debris and the like.

[0004] Further, in a smoke filled environment, visibility may often be essentially zero and a rescuer may be unable to count on assistance. Therefore, any rescue device needs to be easily carried, deployed and used by a single rescuer.

[0005] The present invention meets these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide a rescue device with is portable and can be carried in a pocket or rescue bag.

[0007] It is another object of this invention to provide a rescue device which can be deployed and used by a single rescuer.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide a rescue device which encompasses a person and that person's clothing or equipment to prevent said clothing or equipment from catching on debris and the like.

[0009] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rescue device embodying the present invention in use;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top view of the rescue device of the present invention deployed and ready for a patient; and

[0013]FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, FIGS. 1-2 disclose one embodiment of a rescue device 10 comprising a stretcher 18 having a cinch cord 12 extending about a periphery 14 of stretcher 18. Cinch cord 12 is slidably captured by a plurality of passageways 16 preferably created by looping and sewing portions of periphery 14 over on itself as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0015] The use of a plurality of passageways 16 creates one or more cutouts 20 about periphery 14 each of which provides hand access to cinch cord 12. Cutouts 10 are preferably about eight to ten inches (8″-10″) wide to allow for easy hand access. In addition, the device preferably includes at least four cutouts 20, two cutouts 20 positioned at ends 22 and two cutouts 20 positioned at midpoints 24 of each side. Most preferably, additional cutouts 20 are provided for additional handholds if needed.

[0016] Stretcher 18 is made of a cloth-like, foldable material, preferably a fire retardant material such as Rip-Stop Nomax®, and is a flourescent or reflective color for visibility. For size, stretcher 18 is preferably six to eight feet long and three to five feet wide, most preferably about seven feet long and four feet wide.

[0017] Cinch cord 12 is preferably a six to nine millimeter climbing rope, also preferably a bright color such as a day glo orange. Those skilled in the art will recognize other materials suitable for such use, including, but not limited to, webbing materials.

[0018] The use of cloth like foldable material permits the user to simply fold device 10 into a small pack which can be carried in a pocket or in a rescue bag. To deploy, device 10 is layed out as shown in FIG. 2. A patient 26 to be rescued is simply rolled onto device 10, clothing, equipment and all. As shown in FIG. 1, rescuers 28 grab cinch cord 12 and lift whereby the cinch cord action brings periphery 14 and tightens it around patient 26 thus forming a cocoon about patient 26. In an emergency, only one rescuer 28 is needed as pulling on cinch cord 12 at one cutout 20 accomplishes the same cocooning effect.

[0019] While two or more rescuers are preferred since patient 26 can be more easily carried to safety, again, in an emergency, one rescuer 28 can drag patient 26 to safety. Further, the use of the preferred sizes allows rescuers 28 to handle either an adult or two or more smaller persons such as children. The one or more rescuers 28 can use device 10 either in a walking mode or in a crawling mode if required.

[0020] Stretcher 18, as shown in FIG. 1, encompasses patient 26 with clothing, equipment, extremities such as arms and legs, all captured within the interior of folded up stretcher 18 which prevents same from catching on debris as the patient is taken to safety.

[0021] In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the addition of one or more flexible frames 30 which, once device 10 is removed from a pocket or bag, causes automatic deployment of same. Frames 30 are preferably made from wire but those skilled in the art will recognize that other flexible materials are suitable for this application. This assists the rescuer deployment in adverse conditions such as heavy smoke, heat, debris covered floors and with tactile difficulties caused by heavy gloves used, for example, by firefighters.

[0022] Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rescue device comprises: a foldable stretcher, the stretcher adapted to encompass a human form; and a cinch cord extending about a periphery of the stretcher, the cinch cord being slidably captured by a plurality of passageways, the plurality of passageways creating one or more cutouts about the periphery, each cutout providing hand access to the cinch cord whereby pulling the cinch cord causes the stretcher to encompass a human form contained thereon.
 2. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the passageways are formed by looping and sewing portions of the periphery over on itself.
 3. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the one or more cutouts are between eight to ten inches wide.
 4. The rescue device of claim 1 comprising four or more cutouts.
 5. The rescue device of claim 4 having two of the four or more cutouts positioned at the ends of the stretcher and another two of the four or more cutouts positioned at the midpoints of each side of the stretcher.
 6. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the stretcher is made of a cloth-like fire retardant material.
 7. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the stretcher is made of a flourescent, reflective color for visibility.
 8. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the stretcher is between six to eight feet long and between three to five feet wide.
 9. The rescue device of claim 8 wherein the stretcher is seven feet long and four feet wide.
 10. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the cinch cord is a six to nine millimeter climbing rope.
 11. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the cinch cord is a webbing material.
 12. The rescue device of claim 1 wherein the cinch cord is brightly colored.
 13. The rescue device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of flexible frames adapted to cause automatic deployment of the stretcher.
 14. A rescue device comprises: a cloth-like, foldable, fire retardant, flourescent, reflective colored stretcher, the stretcher being between six to eight feet long and between three to five feet wide and adapted to encompass a human form; and a cinch cord extending about a periphery of the stretcher, the cinch cord being brightly colored, the cinch cord being slidably captured by a plurality of passageways formed by looping and sewing portions of the periphery over on itself, the plurality of passageways creating four or more cutouts between eight to ten inches wide about the periphery, each cutout providing hand access to the cinch cord whereby pulling the cinch cord causes the stretcher to encompass a human form contained thereon, two of the four or more cutouts being positioned at the ends of the stretcher and another two of the four or more cutouts being positioned at the midpoints of each side of the stretcher.
 15. The rescue device of claim 14 wherein the stretcher is seven feet long and four feet wide.
 16. The rescue device of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of flexible wire frames adapted to cause automatic deployment of the stretcher.
 17. The rescue device of claim 14 wherein the cinch cord is a six to nine millimeter climbing rope.
 18. The rescue device of claim 14 wherein the cinch cord is a webbing material. 